🏆 Official Guide: Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park — nearly 2,400 acres of rolling sandhills and sinkhole lakes between Gainesville and Jacksonville, with a spring-fed ravine and 1930s CCC cabins overlooking Little Lake Johnson.
Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park is one of Florida’s originals — part of the state park system since 1935 and shaped by the Civilian Conservation Corps, whose crews carved trails and built cabins across its nearly 2,400 acres of sandhills, scrub, and lakes midway between Gainesville and Jacksonville. The land was donated by Martin J. “Mike” Roess, and the CCC’s handiwork still defines the visitor experience nine decades later.
The park’s signature is the Gold Head Branch ravine — a steep, spring-seep valley, unusual in flat north Florida, that bisects the park with cool, ferny slopes and a clear stream. Around it sit several natural sinkhole lakes, most famously Little Lake Johnson, where the historic cabins look out over the water. As a Florida state park it charges a small entrance fee.
What Makes This Park Unique
A Spring-Fed Ravine
The Gold Head Branch ravine — steep, shaded, and seepage-fed — is a rare pocket of relief and cool forest in sandhill Florida.
1930s CCC Cabins
Sixteen vacation cabins, several originally built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, overlook scenic Little Lake Johnson.
Sinkhole Lakes
Clear, rain- and groundwater-fed lakes formed by sinkholes dot the park — good for swimming, paddling, and fishing.
Three Campground Loops
Sandhill, Turkey Oak, and Lakeview loops spread camping across the pines and scrub — one of the region’s classic camping parks.
Things to Do
Hiking: The Ridge and Loblolly trails and a segment of the Florida National Scenic Trail drop into the Gold Head ravine and circle the lakes — the ravine boardwalk and stairs are the highlight.
On the water: Swim, paddle, or fish Little Lake Johnson and Lake Johnson; canoe and kayak rentals are available seasonally.
Wildlife: Sandhills, marshes, and scrub host gopher tortoises, fox squirrels, and a wide range of birds.
Camping & Cabins
Choose from 16 cabins overlooking Little Lake Johnson or the three campground loops (full-facility and primitive options). Reserve through ReserveFlorida up to 11 months ahead — the lakeview cabins book out fastest.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee | $4–$6/vehicle (2–8 people); pedestrians/cyclists $2 (as of July 2026) |
| Size | ~2,400 acres |
| Established | 1935 (one of Florida’s first state parks); CCC-built |
| Lodging | 16 cabins on Little Lake Johnson; 3 campground loops |
| Location | 6 miles north of Keystone Heights on SR 21 (Clay County) |
| Official Info | Florida State Parks – Gold Head Branch |
Getting There
The park is on SR 21 about six miles north of Keystone Heights, roughly midway between Gainesville (45 minutes west) and Jacksonville (an hour northeast).
Nearby Parks Worth Combining
Combine Gold Head with the crystal tubing runs of the north Florida springs to the west. The Florida state parks guide has the full picture, including the region’s spring parks.
Facts verified against the Florida Park Service and public records, July 2026. Fees, cabin rates, and hours are set by the Florida Park Service — check the official park page before your trip.
Park Location
Plan your gear for Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park
From our editorial guides, matched to this park’s activities:
